Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1878Sexual assault · Co. Dublin · 13 Feb 2022

Taxi driver Samir Lakhlef jailed for three years for sexual assault of intoxicated woman in Dublin

A woman in her 20s alleged she was sexually assaulted by taxi driver Samir Lakhlef, an Irish man aged 53, on 13 February 2022 in Dublin, when he rubbed her thigh while she was in the back of his taxi after she had been drinking. Gardaí were called around 1.45am, and CCTV and DNA evidence later linked a silver Toyota Prius to Lakhlef, who met Gardaí by arrangement in May 2023 and denied wrongdoing. He pleaded guilty to sexual assault, and on 10 April 2025 Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to three years in prison, noting his position of trust as a taxi driver and his previous convictions, including a 2021 sexual assault.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced11 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A taxi driver sexually assaulted a woman in her 20s by rubbing her thigh while she was in the back of his taxi.
Where
The incident occurred in Dublin; the suspect lives at Ballyogan Drive, Carrickmines, Dublin 18.
When
The assault took place on 13 February 2022, and Gardaí were called around 1.45am.
Cause
The victim was intoxicated after socialising and having drinks on 12 February 2022.
Investigation
  • CCTV from a cul-de-sac identified the taxi as a silver Toyota Prius, and forensic analysis found the suspect's DNA on the victim's tights and the inside front of her underwear.
  • The suspect met Gardaí by arrangement in May 2023, denied wrongdoing, but acknowledged the car was his and he was the sole driver.
Charges
Samir Lakhlef, an Irish man aged 53, pleaded guilty to sexual assault.
In court
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year custodial sentence on 10 April 2025.
Other details
  • The suspect has several previous convictions, including one for sexual assault with a two-month suspended sentence at District Court in 2021.
  • The judge noted that the suspect was in a position of trust as a taxi driver and took advantage of the intoxicated victim.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe victim was sexually assaulted by a taxi driver who was rubbing her thigh while she was in the back of the taxi. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim said she would have been safer walking home alone in the dark. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim's next memory after leaving a pub was being in the back of a taxi, identified by the meter. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim was picked up off the street and did not book a taxi using any app. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe fare on the meter was €31. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim got out of the taxi and walked towards the front door of a nearby house, pretending it was her home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim was signed off work for a week and spent it crying. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe suspect lives at Ballyogan Drive, Carrickmines, Dublin 18. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe woman had been out socialising and had some drinks on 12 February 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenGardaí were called around 1.45am. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationCCTV from the cul-de-sac identified the taxi as a silver Toyota Prius. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationLakhlef was the registered owner of the car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationOn 18 June 2022, gardaí went to his home and he answered in bare feet, then asked for time to put on shoes and socks but did not return. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched his house later that June and found documents relating to the car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationHe met gardaí by arrangement in May 2023, denied wrongdoing, but acknowledged the car was his and he was the sole driver. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationForensic analysis identified his DNA on the woman's tights and the inside front of her underwear. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeLakhlef pleaded guilty to sexual assault on 13 February 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe has several previous convictions including one for sexual assault with a two-month suspended sentence at District Court in 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Lakhlef was in a position of trust as a taxi driver, which was aggravating, and that he took advantage of the intoxicated victim. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Apr2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Taxi driver sex assault victim would've 'been safer walking home alone in dark'

    Sentencing hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with victim impact statement read on the woman's behalf; details of the assault, investigation, DNA evidence, and the judge's reasoning for an unsuspended custodial sentence.

    victim, 20s, femaleconvicted, Samir Lakhlef, 53, male, Irish, named, irishSamir Lakhlef